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NZ 7s star 'proud' after another big win; 'gutted' not to be playing Aus in final

(Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

The Black Ferns Sevens have booked their place in the Sydney Sevens final with a dominant display against Ireland on Sunday, which saw them win 41-nil.

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New Zealand began their point scoring onslaught in just the third minute, as Sevens veteran Sarah Hirini crossed for the first of her two tries.

Fellow Black Ferns World Cup winner Stacey Fluhler added another try to her World Series tally just a minute later, as the women in black began to run away with it.

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After leading 17-nil at the break, New Zealand piled on another 24 points in the second-half – including a hat-trick to Shiray Kaka.

While the Black Ferns appeared to be in control throughout the entirety of their clash with the Irish, Fluhler insisted that “it felt close at the start.”

“I’m not going to lie, it felt close at the start, I was blowing out there,” Fluhler told RugbyPass.

“I’m proud of our impact off the bench who finished the job.”

New Zealand are now set to face France in a highly anticipated blockbuster on Sunday evening, as they look to win their second Cup final in as many weeks.

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The New Zealand rugby superstar was one of the best players during last year’s World Cup, which included a thrilling win over Les Bleus at Eden Park.

But after returning to the World Series in Hamilton last weekend, the ‘smiling assassin’ hasn’t skipped a beat.

The Black Ferns Sevens may have beaten France in pool play, but Fluhler knows that her team will have to bring their “A-game” if they want to do it again.

“Obviously we played them in pool play so it’s probably a good indication of where they’ve come throughout the tournament,” she added.

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“We have to stay on our A-game and bring it to them because it’s a big one.”

To the surprise of many, Australia haven’t qualified for the final in Sydney.

In fact, they didn’t make it past the quarters. The Australia lost a thriller against Les Bleus 10-5 in the final game of Day Two.

Fluhler said she was “actually gutted” for her Trans-Tasman rivals, although the Black Ferns will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the World Series.

“I’m actually gutted for them, it would’ve been cool to play them at home.

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“Obviously they smoked us in 2018 on home turf and we wanted to get them back.

“But it is what it is, it’s a game of Sevens right? Either you win or you lose.

“We’ll take it and hopefully creep up on the overall standings too.”

New Zealand were four points clear of second-placed Australia on the World Series standings before playing in Sydney, and have a golden opportunity to separate themselves from the pack with a win on Sunday.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 1 hour ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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